Are you inspired by a particular leader, someone who has made a difference in your life?

We are confronted with examples of great leadership every single day. There is no lack of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things at every turn. And there’s no lack of others claiming to be leaders that seek to disrupt and violate every thinking and feeling person’s definition of what a leader is. I don’t call the latter leaders but rather narcissistic antagonists.

Disruption is great when it brings innovation, thought leadership and a better way of approaching that which is important in our lives. However, disruption for the sake of disrupting that sends us reeling in a fight for one’s survival is not being done in the interest of leadership but rather in support of self-righteousness, egotism and power. This does not serve us either individually or collectively.

In my years of observing and working with some great leaders there are specific attributes that set them apart as extraordinary. Today, I will talk about one. 

Heart.

Leadership starts from the heart. It emanates from a desire, a sense of purpose and conviction that is meaningful and impactful. And what better way to move through our lives than to be connected with this nugget of gold within us. 

Heart is the innermost part of us. It knows what is true. It knows what is right. It knows when we’re on a path that supports us and others. And it feels right.

Courage and conviction come from your heart.

In fact, the very origin of the word courage specifically translates from Latin “cor” which is heart. And when we embody a deep sense of conviction there is something inside of us that is undeniable that is unwavering that is very much a part of who we are. 

When we lead from this place, we have the ability to inspire others, create a movement and make a profound impact, big or small.

If you think about what I asked you at the start, the person you thought of was likely someone who inspired you because they were invested with heart. 

I ask you to think about what inspires you to be that leader and take a stand with HEART, COURAGE & CONVICTION. As you move through your day, consider if there’s one person, cause or mission you can help today. And pick up the phone, send a text or an email and reach out to make a difference.

Be That Leader.

…in your business, it’s likely not a new marketing tool or another bright shiny object you need.

Experience has shown, it’s more likely a shifting of awareness that will resolve the impasse you’re at.

We all reach these points at various times in the lifecycle of our business. And I know it likely resonates with you that we also reach these points in our life.

In my conversations with business owners, “it’s not working” is a constant refrain I hear.

It’s the very reason clients begin to work with me because they’re tired of the assault on their energy, intellect, and spirit that working endless hours in their business with little results creates. 

They’re ready for a change, a better way, so they can build their wealth, create freedom and make an impact unapologetically.

What To Do When “It’s Not Working”

When we’re repeatedly hearing our “it’s not working” mantra, what is important is that we reflect, affirm, and pivot. This is a shifting of awareness. With awareness comes clarity.

Reflecting on what specifically is not working as well as what specifically is working brings real awareness because we’re paying attention. And specific is the operative word here. Generalities and vagueness never show a better way.

Affirming that we have our foundational framework, our vision, in order and that it’s front and center as we progress, is our guiding light. It’s the picture of what we want to create. It guides us whether we are progressing at light speed or facing these impasses and challenges. We’ll talk more about your vision in a moment.

Pivoting in our actions with what we’ve gleaned from reflection and affirmation allows us to move forward. And move we must with this newfound shift in awareness.

Now stick with me here, I will give you practical tools to set you on your way.

Most importantly, along with reflecting, affirming and pivoting, it’s even more critical that we don’t adopt a mindset and strategy of “I’ve got to start all over” or “I have to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch”. Thinking like this is downright deflating and not useful in any particular way…not mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

Besides that I would debate that it’s not true.

Trust yourself. There have to be some efforts and elements of your strategy that are still worth integrating in any way that you decide to pivot.

Plus I’m certain that you have learned and you have evolved.

Instead, be kind to yourself and adopt a mindset that you’re exactly where you need to be and you’re moving in the right direction.

This will serve you better and can positively impact your progress and results.

Now for the practical tools I promised you.

The Value of Vision

In my work with clients, I incorporate establishing a clear vision. This is not just a vision statement but a detailed 3-year, inspirational vision.

It is the dreamscape of your business, how you see it 3 years from when you imagine it.

Einstein wrote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

The images we hold in our mind often materialize.

In your vision work, you are imagining the future you want to give birth to…the world you want materialized.

I’ve enhanced my vision process through the teachings of Cameron Herold and his book Vivid Vision. This is an easy to read, recent book that will help you both understand the value of vision and help “prepare an organization (Owner, CEO, Senior Managers, Leaders) to create inspirational, detailed, and actionable three-year mission statements for their company.”

It lays out your foundational framework.

Your Vivid Vision is a professionally written and designed document that is the guiding light for your team, vendors, and clients. It helps you create and articulate your vision so as to leverage the power of all who surround you, those who can help you bring your vision to fruition.

It takes the guessing out. It brings the vision of greatness in.

Creating your 3-year vision requires:

1. An Inspired Setting. Put yourself in a completely relaxed state, outside of your normal surroundings, in a place where you can be playful, bold and engage in childlike dreaming.

2. Dreaming. The point here is to imagine and experience the wonder and awe of all you seek to create. This is your grand design. It is intended to inspire your team, your clients, your vendors, your investors, etc. So please PLAY BIG!

DREAM BIG.

NO TAMPING DOWN ON DREAMS.

DON’T SETTLE FOR REALISTIC AND ACHIEVABLE. 

MUST INSPIRE.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE HOW.

IMAGINE BIG. BIG. BIG.

3. Investing all of your senses. This is a sensory process. You want to see, hear, feel, smell and taste that world when you step out into it. Be in the moment as if it’s happening now.

4. Documenting. Bring a notepad and pen. Jot down your thoughts, ideas, and heartfelt desires.

5. Growing Your Tree. Consider all the different aspects of your organization which can include but is not limited to the following:

• Culture
• Core Values
• Vibe
• Brand Promise
• Team
• Fiscal Health
• Why You Do What You Do
• Media & Marketing
• Sales
• Commitment to Community

6. Design a Professional Document. Include well-written copy, pleasing layout and effective graphics. This document should be about 4 pages.

7. Share. This is meant to help rally the forces…your team, prospective employees, clients and suppliers/vendors, etc….so that all are working in the same cohesive direction and can help make the world you envision happen.

Distinctions Between Vision, Purpose, Mission & Goals

Now just to be clear your vision is different than your purpose, mission or goals. I will provide my best definitions here as I’ve gleaned and borrowed through my many years in business.

Purpose is your “why”. It inspires action and change and is never achieved or actualized. It is the guiding, unifying principle that drives everything the organization does. It’s the throughline of an organization…what is consistently there and the reason you exist. The very fact that purpose can never be fully realized means that an organization can never stop innovating or spurring change.

Mission is a way to align everyone in the organization to the same focus. It describes what business the company is in now and what business it plans to be in in the future.

Goals are the specific, tangible results you expect to achieve in a given timeframe.

All of these are important but very different things. So when you’re creating your vision just keep this in mind.

There is tremendous power in formulating your foundation. Without it, your efforts can feel like random acts in a world that is not coming together for you.

I urge you to get your visionary house in order, lay your framework and continue to build from there.

You might just find your refrain of “it’s not working” is something you can relegate to the past.